Any suggestions on which laptop?

[Sunny1]

Okay so it has been decided that I need a laptop for nursing school starting in August. I have spent the last couple of days looking at various laptops online, reading reviews, looking in stores at them in person, and I am so totally confused. I am not looking for anything fancy, no gaming, no burning cds, listening/holding tons of music, etc. etc. Just something basic that I can run my microsoft office 2007 on and do some basic day to day stuff on for/at school, something that I would not have any trouble running any outside programs (like study disks that come with college books, etc.) on for studying. Something simple, easy to use, and something that I would not have to wait forever for a program to load. Also one that I can use thumb drives on to hold my notes, etc. I would still have my home desktop if I need to do anything major. I have not decided yet, but I may not even use the laptop for internet although it may be useful at a later time...

So I think that my decision has come down to possibly 2 computers. Here's the links to them.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...%20performance
or
http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529598024.php

(I've been leaning a little more towards the gateway, but just not sure...) Can I use a thumb drive on either of these?

These would fit my current price range, just need something to get me through the next two years, if I need something better then I can save up. Or if anyone has come across any good deals on a good laptop, please let me know.

So if anyone would care to share their opinions on good laptops, or their opinions on the ones that I have posted, I would be very appreciative!! Thanks!!

[Reediculous]

macbook air!

[edie]

My mom just got a macbook air - they look easy to break and the disc drive has to be plugged in, I don't like them very much but they would be easy to carry around if you will use one a lot.

I like Macbooks a lot, little more meat to them! I had an iBook for a couple years and just got an iMac last week (free ipod touch and printer and $100 off for students)!

I really haven't used anything other than an mac since we switched from dial up - sorry I couldn't be more help, but I know nothing about computers, just that macs have worked really well for me

[AVALover5498]

I would personally go with a macbook pro. All around great computer. I would die to have a mac.
But, I'm poor.

-Chris-

[Sunny1]

I would love to have a macbook air!! Or any macbook/ desktop mac for that matter, but unfortunately their starting price is a bit out of my price range at the moment. That would be the type of computer upgrading I would do after I finish school (and then go back for more schooling ).
Thanks for those suggestions though!!
Any others??

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

got a gateway...
its... ok


id go with macbook...
NEVER heard any bad about them.

[andwhy6]

im a computer tech. i have never had an apple on my desk due to software problems. i say go with a macbook with apple care. the best decision i ever made. ive had it for bout a year and a half now and it runs as fast as the day i bought it. the mouse pad and battery have gone out but with apple care they cover 100% of any software or hardware issue so both have been replaced for free. the only down fall is that apple doesnt have some software and games, But they DONT get viruses. apple is the way to go in my opinion. apple care will cover you for 3 years. no matter what laptop you buy even with the perfect care something is going to crash or break within 3 years.

[starmom]

For the applications that I will imagine you'll be running in school for nursing, I would suggest a Dell Inspiron 1720. My son in-law is in nursing and so is my daughter in-law and they both have that type of laptop and they both love theirs. Just my 2 cents.

[andwhy6]

sorry i didnt realize that you were the one that cant afford a mac. just keep in mind what i said i guess. good luck

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

LOLZ! i didnt even pay attention to that.
get the gateway.
u can use a "thumb drive" aka flash drive.
yes.
i acually have the one on the right... in the pic.
just a older one.
the only problem i had with mine was switching it to windows vista, from xp.

but i do reccomend it.
i use mine for, school work, graphic design, web design, music, fun... stuff like that.
not gaming, but i do reccomend it.